Michael Or AAF

          For my comparison of songs I will be comparing Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal compared to Alien Ant Farm's cover of the song. You can get to the songs by clicking on the artist's names.
          I really enjoy both of these songs but would have to favor Alien Ant Farm's cover of the song over the original by Michael Jackson. Both songs are very well made but I prefer the rhythm Alien Ant Farm adds to the song. Alien Ant farms cover also has a faster speed and higher tempo. Not that I do not enjoy Michael Jackson's song I just feel as if Alien Ant farm took a great song and made it spectacular. The lyrics of the two songs are basically identical which I encourage when songs are remade. I do not like when bands just take a songs chorus of a song then recreate the rest. If you can create 3/4 of a song and just steal the beat and the songs chorus I feel that, that is just taking away from the original. In contrast cover that keep the same lyrics as the original song is a better way of honoring or showing appreciation for the song.
           Alien Ant Farm did use the classic opening for the song then they added their on touch to the beat. Even though they kept the same classic opening they added more of a deeper pitched rock feel to it. This is compared to the original which has more of a skewed electric sound to it. I actually prefer the opening to Michael Jackson's version despite preferring Alien Ant Farms song over all. Also in Michael Jackson's version the song is more based around the lyrics and singing. As you can tell by the instruments are more of a background noise in his version compared to Alien Ant Farms. In their version the instruments are loud and apparent and not just background adding a beat.
          Another contrast in the songs is how the singer actually sings the song. In Alien Ant Farms version the singer really makes the song vocal and loud. He really yells the song which gives their song a high rough melody. This in contrast to the original by Michael Jackson has a much more smooth melody and subtle feeling to it. Michael more or less whispers the lyrics of the course at the begging the leads it up slowly and at the end brings in the loud "punch".
      Overall both song are very good and I enjoy them both very much. I appreciate how Alien Ant Farm made their song in the way of honoring Michael Jackson's song and not just ripping off his beat and chorus. However I do prefer Alien Ant Farms cover but the original by Michael Jackson is still an amazing song.